NEW ORLEANS – Before the outdoor season begins for Virginia Tech this weekend, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its preseason rankings Tuesday afternoon, with the men coming in at No. 12 and the women at No. 20.
Tech is the only school from the ACC to have both of its units ranked inside the Top 25. The men are one of two schools from the league, with Virginia at No. 20, and the women are one of three teams ranked, with Florida State at No. 19 and Notre Dame at No. 24.
The Hokies had a memorable outdoor season last year, winning ACC titles on both the men and women's sides. It was the first time a school swept the titles since 2014 when Florida State accomplished the feat in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The throws group will be ready to roll for the outdoor season, bolstering Tech's arm in the ACC race in Miami, Florida. Pavla Kuklova was the only thrower to participate in the indoor season.
FloTrack last week announced its preseason All-Americans with six Hokies earning honors, including Marek Barta, Vincent Ciattei, Sarah Edwards, Lisa Gunnarsson, Torben Laidig and Deakin Volz.
The Hokies will hit the road this weekend to compete at the Weems Baskins Invitational in Columbia, South Carolina, kicking off the outdoor season on Friday.